1
as in to put
to arrange something in a certain spot or position
just lay the book over there on the table for now
Synonyms & Similar Words
Relevance
Antonyms & Near Antonyms
2
3
as in to impose
to establish or apply as a charge or penalty
state officials tried to lay a tax on merchandise sold over the Internet
Synonyms & Similar Words
Antonyms & Near Antonyms
4
as in to prepare
to make ready in advance
she's laying plans for the charity auction months ahead of time
Synonyms & Similar Words
5
as in to spread
to put a layer of on a surface
the mason laid mortar over the first row of bricks before starting the second
Synonyms & Similar Words
Antonyms & Near Antonyms
6
7
as in to ascribe
to explain (something) as being the result of something else
an electrical fire that was laid to faulty wiring
Synonyms & Similar Words
8
as in to bury
to place (a dead body) in the earth, a tomb, or the sea
lay the corpse to rest
Synonyms & Similar Words
Antonyms & Near Antonyms
1
2
as in ballad
a short musical composition for the human voice often with instrumental accompaniment
she sang a short lay in dedication to her husband
Synonyms & Similar Words
as in work
the activity by which one regularly makes a living
my main lay is as a general contractor, but I do side work as a carpenter
Synonyms & Similar Words
Antonyms & Near Antonyms
as in laic
Related Words
Dissimilar Words
Example Sentences
Examples are automatically compiled from online sources to
show current usage.
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Recent Examples of lay
Katie Kilkenny, HollywoodReporter, 20 Aug. 2025
Its generous paddeding, cushion-back design, and lay-flat sleeper feature provide both comfort and practicality.
—Elizabeth Fogarty, Better Homes & Gardens, 18 Aug. 2025
Essence, 14 Sep. 2025
Kirk’s work organizing, fundraising and registering young people to vote helped lay the foundation for the GOP’s gains with young voters, and young men in particular, in the 2024 election.
—Brett Samuels, The Hill, 14 Sep. 2025
See All Example Sentences for lay
Verb
Slavin and running mate Peter Antico may be obscure to the lay entertainment consumer but are familiar figures within SAG-AFTRA politics.
—Katie Kilkenny, HollywoodReporter, 20 Aug. 2025
Its generous paddeding, cushion-back design, and lay-flat sleeper feature provide both comfort and practicality.
—Elizabeth Fogarty, Better Homes & Gardens, 18 Aug. 2025
Noun
The trusty Slick Stick and an edge brush kept flyaways and baby hairs laid to perfection.
—Essence, 14 Sep. 2025
Kirk’s work organizing, fundraising and registering young people to vote helped lay the foundation for the GOP’s gains with young voters, and young men in particular, in the 2024 election.
—Brett Samuels, The Hill, 14 Sep. 2025
See All Example Sentences for lay
Recent Examples of Synonyms for lay
Verb
-
But Karl Maybach’s greatest contribution to the wonders of European civilization were his enormously powerful diesel engines that gave birth to the very first high-speed trains of Europe, emphatically putting steam trains out of business.—
Mark Ewing,
Forbes.com,
14 Sep. 2025
-
Studies put misread rates between 10% and 35%, depending on conditions.—
Jennifer Jolly,
USA Today,
14 Sep. 2025
Verb
-
At the plaza, Seth Teasdale was nearby as Kirk flung some caps into the crowd, then settled into his seat under the canopy to take questions.—
Rick Jervis,
USA Today,
14 Sep. 2025
-
The Cortège gestures toward that transcendence, but too often settles for the kind of veiled enchantment that follows us home through our screens.—
David Hochman,
Forbes.com,
14 Sep. 2025
Verb
-
Cities would also generally be prevented from imposing height and density limits based on how close a development is near a transit stop.—
Stephen Hobbs,
Sacbee.com,
13 Sep. 2025
-
In fact, there’s already a battle in Los Angeles over the $30 wage for workers at hotels and other hospitality businesses imposed by the city council.—
Dan Walters,
Mercury News,
13 Sep. 2025
Verb
-
The San Diego State football team, idle over the weekend, has had two weeks to prepare for this weekend’s nonconference game against Cal.—
Kirk Kenney,
San Diego Union-Tribune,
17 Sep. 2025
-
Or preparing their kid for what is next in life.—
Khaleda Rahman,
MSNBC Newsweek,
17 Sep. 2025
Verb
-
Today, the palatial structure spreads across four floors (including the subterranean level), offering versatile space that’s adaptable to both living and business purposes.—
Abby Montanez,
Robb Report,
19 Sep. 2025
-
Legoland California’s family-friendly Halloween party returns for another not-too-spooky season of not-so-scary frights filled with character meet-and-greets, live shows, ride overlays, seasonal food and plenty of trick-or-treating candy stations spread throughout the park.—
Brady MacDonald,
Oc Register,
19 Sep. 2025
Verb
-
Ficco urged those who sports bet to use reputable online big platforms, do research about where people deposit their money and be cautious.—
Patricio Chile,
ABC News,
13 Sep. 2025
-
The betting pick is that Silva will win this fight via knockout to keep the Fighting Nerds championship hopes alive.—
Trent Reinsmith,
Forbes.com,
13 Sep. 2025
Verb
-
One of them was from Clinton, in a message ascribed to him that extended a detailed message.—
Brady Knox,
The Washington Examiner,
9 Sep. 2025
-
In that vacuum, Republicans have often ascribed political bias as the motivation without providing concrete evidence to back it up, said Stevenson, the debanking expert.—
Jake Pearson,
ProPublica,
9 Sep. 2025
Verb
-
Jax heterosexually admired Jade Cargill’s body, but buried Jade’s in-ring ability.—
Alfred Konuwa,
Forbes.com,
20 Sep. 2025
-
Two weeks after Priscilla's grandson Benjamin Keough, the son of the late Lisa Marie Presley and her ex-husband Danny Keough, was buried following his death by suicide at age 27 in 2020, Navarone, 38, came to his mom asking for help getting off fentanyl.—
Brianne Tracy,
PEOPLE,
19 Sep. 2025
Video
Lay vs. Lie
Editor Emily Brewster clarifies the difference.
Cite this Entry
“Lay.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/lay. Accessed 21 Sep. 2025.
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